Brisbane Lions vs Sydney Swans Preview
Sydney have been red-hot this season and are 12-2 for the year. Brisbane did get back on track with two wins before the bye last week, but that might have halted their momentum. The Swans should be much too good, even on the road.
- The total points for both sides has averaged over 190 this season.
- Both sides are averaging over 100 points per game in 2026.
- Isaac Heeney has kicked eight goals in his past three matches and has had 30+ disposals in each of those.
- Brisbane have a 3-3 win-loss record at the GABBA in 2026, Sydney are 5-2 when interstate
Head to Head Stats
Sydney have won the past two between the two sides, including the Round 1 encounter this season by 44 points at the SCG when the Lions were hard hit by injuries.
Brisbane Lions Form - Bye Halts Progress?
Brisbane had the bye last weekend and had the wobbles in May when losing to Fremantle, Geelong and GWS before responding with wins over the Gold Coast Suns by 31 points at the Gabba and against Richmond by 35 in Hobart.
The performance against GWS raised some massive question marks when conceding 14 goals in the third quarter and they were never in the hunt against Fremantle.
Butt they did closed off well against the ladder leaders by kicking four of the last five goals and had the same amount of scoring shots in that match in a 10.18 to 15.13 scoreline, before bringing that momentum to the Suns match.
Logan Morris has responded to a quiet run with 10 goals in his past two outings, while Will Ashcroft starred against Richmond with 38 disposals and two goals.
Lachie Neale continued his solid season with 28 disposals. Neale has had 30+ in six of his past 10, while rebounding halfback Darcy Wilmot has had 25+ in his past five.
Brisbane enter the Round 16 clash with a win-loss record of 8-6. The Lions have lost their past two at the Gabba and are 3-3 at home this season.
Sydney Swans Form - Swans Flying High
Sydney are second on the ladder with a 12-2 win-loss record. They went down to Geelong four weeks before the bye before chalking up a 114-point win against Richmond at the SCG.
Their past two have come in close fashion - a two-point win over St Kilda and a three-point win over Port Adelaide.
Isaac Heeney is in sublime touch and had 30 disposals and a goal against Port Adelaide. He has had 30+ disposals in his past three matches and kicked eight goals in that period. Chad Warner has had 25+ in his last three and kicked six goals, while Brodie Grundy continues to dominate in the ruck.
Sydney top the competition for scoring this season and average 112 points per game. Outside of Sydney in 2026, they have a 5-2 win-loss record.
Brisbane Lions Team News
Brisbane's injury list is still fairly lengthy, but the bye has come at a good time with a number of key players edging closer to a return.
Ryan Lester is expected to be available, while Henry Smith and Dan Annable should return through the VFL after progressing well in their recoveries.
Lincoln McCarthy suffered another minor setback at training but is not expected to miss significant time, while Dayne Zorko, Hugh McCluggage and Keidean Coleman are all tracking well and are only a few weeks away if they avoid further complications.
Sydney Swans Team News
Sydney are set to regain several important players, with Errol Gulden, Lewis Melican and Dane Rampe a chance to return. Tom Papley is still a couple of weeks away with a calf issue, while Justin McInerney faces a longer stint on the sidelines as he works through his hamstring rehabilitation.
Taylor Adams is awaiting further assessment after suffering a hamstring injury in the VFL, while Tom McCartin continues to progress through the AFL's concussion protocols.